The conference, titled "Achievements of the SPRINGBOARD Project," convened experts and project partners to explore recent innovations in antibacterial drug discovery. With over 80 attendees, the event provided a platform to discuss advancements in the field and outline future collaborative research directions.

About the SPRINGBOARD Project

The SPRINGBOARD project, a European Union Horizon 2020 Twinning initiative launched in September 2020, aimed to enhance the research capabilities of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS) in antibacterial drug discovery. Collaboration with leading European universities - the University of Antwerp, the University of Copenhagen, the University of Florence, and the University of Helsinki, was central to achieving this goal.

SPRINGBOARD focused on establishing an excellence platform for the advanced discovery of novel antibacterial drugs. The project sought to enhance LIOS's research capacity by improving its competence in identifying new enzymatic targets, exploring natural products and synthetic analogues, and developing peptide antibiotics as potential targets for new antibacterial therapies.

SPRINGBOARD's Impact on LIOS

The project coordinator highlighted the positive influence of the SPRINGBOARD project on LIOS:

• Opportunities for Researchers: Twelve early-stage researchers spent two months in top labs at partner universities, while seven-one-week-long secondments for experienced researchers to learn research management were offered.
• Conference Participation: Thirteen researchers attended seven conferences, facilitating valuable exchanges of ideas and networking opportunities.
• Joint Scientific Publications: SPRINGBOARD so far led to the publication of eight joint scientific papers with partner institutions, despite this not being explicitly outlined in the project proposal.
• Career Development Events: A total of eight career development events were available for LIOS scientists, offering training in both scientific and soft skills.
• Public Outreach and Popularization: The project also promoted science and research as a career through participation in three Researcher Night events, two Job Shadow days, and various Career Days events.

Conference Highlights from May 2, 2024

• Welcome Address: Prof. Raivis Žalubovskis, LIOS, opened the conference with a reflection on the project's achievements.
• Photodynamic Therapy Insights: Prof. Jean-Yves Winum from the University of Montpellier discussed carbonic anhydrase-targeted approaches.
• Carbonic Anhydrases as Anti-Infectives: Dr. Fabrizio Carta from the University of Florence shared insights into this promising area of research.
• Antimicrobial peptides and peptoid/peptide hybrids: Assoc. Prof. Henrik Franzyk from the University of Copenhagen discussed their structure-activity relationships.
• PhD Student and Post-Doc Session: A showcase of innovative research, including repurposing S1PR modulators as antibacterial agents and exploring structural bases for antibacterial drug discovery; investigation of antibiotic tolerance in Streptococcus pneumonia; battling the biofilm in ventilator-associated pneumonia; strategies to fight Mycobacterium abscessus infections; photo-catalyzed synthesis of monofluoromethyl-containing heteroarene; studies of antibacterial properties of natural products; engineering of PETase enzymes; inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 nsp16 by substrate-based dual site inhibitors.
• Poster Session and Annual Springboard Management Meeting: Participants shared research findings and discussed future collaborations.

Conference Highlights from May 3, 2024

• Horizon Europe Updates: Jānis Ancāns, the National Contact Point for Horizon Europe, provided insights into upcoming opportunities.
• Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance: Dr. Madara Tirzite from Riga Stradiņš University presented on this critical topic.
• Preclinical Antibacterial Drug Discovery: Dr. Edgars Liepins from LIOS addressed the challenges in this field.
• Diazaborines: Dr. Polina Ilina from the University of Helsinki discussed the antibacterial potential of these compounds.
• Oxazolidinone-based carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: Dr. Simone Giovannuzzi from the University of Florence presented a promising strategy to discover antibiotics against gram-positive bacteria.
• Microbial natural products: Dr. Chin-Soon Phan from LIOS discussed their antibacterial activities.
• Human microbiome in health and disease: Dr. Ilze Elbere from the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre introduced current research trends in Latvia.

The SPRINGBOARD final conference set the stage for continued collaboration and innovation in antibacterial drug discovery.

Conference Abstract Book

You can download the conference Abstract Book here.